Biography
Date Published: July 12, 2022
Publisher: Passion Spirit Dreams Press
The book honors and celebrates Patsy Swayze. There are twenty-nine
interviews which include her students, colleagues, and friends. Their
stories showcase what a trailblazer she was and the extent of her influence
on them and on the world. Many of her students continue to carry forward her
legacy by following in her giant dance footsteps. There are sixty-four
photos, most in color and rarely seen, which help tell this story.
Patsy Swayze was an icon in the dance and performing arts world for decades
as a dancer, teacher, mentor, and choreographer. Her work includes founding
the Houston Jazz Ballet, teaching at the University of Houston, running her
own dance studios, and choreographing for Theatre, Incorporated, Playhouse
Theatre, and Hollywood movies. She inspired thousands of dance students,
many of whom went on to become professionals in the performing arts, and
instilled in all students a strong work ethic and set of values. With that
said, she was most proud of her family and thought her greatest achievement
was being the mother of five children.
Of course, Patsy had one very famous student, her beloved son Patrick,
known as "Buddy" to family and friends. The book touches on the
relationship between Patsy and Buddy, and Buddy's life. Another renowned
student is Jaclyn Smith, who kindly granted a full-length interview about
her experiences with Patsy.
Patsy was a pioneer in opening her dance classes and her heart to all
students, regardless of race, economic, or cultural background, and this was
no small feat in the fifties and sixties in Houston. In addition, Patsy was
known to be extremely philanthropic.
Patsy Swayze continues to touch the lives of multitudes of people,
including the author's life. In today's world it is especially wonderful to
have such a hero, someone who gave so much to others and has left such a
profound legacy.
Excerpt
INTRODUCTION
I have written this book to honor and celebrate Patsy Swayze. I hope that reading the stories of some of her students, colleagues, and friends as to how they were influenced by her will showcase what an icon and trailblazer she was and the extent of her influence on them and on the world. Many of her students continue to carry forward her legacy by following in her giant dance footsteps.
Patsy was an icon in the dance and performing arts world for decades as a dancer, teacher, mentor, and choreographer. Her work includes founding the Houston Jazz Ballet, teaching at the University of Houston, running her own dance studios, and choreographing for Theatre, Incorporated, Playhouse Theatre, and Hollywood movies. She inspired thousands of dance students, many of whom went on to become professionals in the performing arts, and instilled in all students a strong work ethic and set of values. With that said, she was most proud of her family and thought her greatest achievement was being the mother of five children.
Of course, Patsy had one very famous student, her beloved son Patrick, known as “Buddy” to family and friends. The book will touch on the relationship between Patsy and Buddy. Another renowned student is Jaclyn Smith, who kindly granted a full-length interview about her experiences with Patsy. In her role as choreographer for Urban Cowboy, Patsy taught dance steps to John Travolta, and that will be covered as well.
Patsy was a pioneer in opening her dance classes and her heart to all students, regardless of race, economic, or cultural background, and this was no small feat in the fifties and sixties in Houston. In addition, Patsy was known to be extremely philanthropic.
I want to thank the interviewees for their enthusiasm, support, and time they put forth for the book. Many of them said that Patsy’s story needs to be told and she deserves recognition that she never fully received. I have attempted to place the interviews in the approximate time sequence of when the person first had contact with Patsy, so that her story can be told in a somewhat organized manner. Many of the interviewees had a lifelong relationship with Patsy.
Patsy Swayze continues to touch the lives of multitudes of people, including mine, for which I am grateful.
Review
Rating: Five of Five Stars
Anyone who has seen the iconic movie Dirty Dancing knows that the late Patrick Swayze was an impressive dancer and a talented actor. His dancing skills may not have been as stellar if it weren't for the influence of his mother, Patsy. Patsy was an influential dance instructor who taught many students over the years. Some of these students went on to become performers or to work as choreographers for film and stage.
The information in the book is presented in the form of interviews with Patsy's former students. Readers can learn about her through the words of those she influenced during her life. Sadly, and understandably, she became withdrawn in her later years. She lost two of her five children: her daughter Vicky to suicide in 1994 and her son Patrick to pancreatic cancer in 2009.
It was inspiring to read how Patsy influenced her students. For instance, Pamela Mistrost Rost has this to say about Patsy:
"My life was not disciplined when I met Patsy. From the beginning, I realized that ballet training from her was going to create something new in me, something that was missing in my home life."
Pamela went on to become a performer, choreographer, and teacher.
It is a skill to be able to ask the right questions to make interview subjects feel comfortable and willing to share their experiences rather than feeling interrogated. The author accomplished this task and gathered many fascinating stories.
This book is a good choice for those who enjoy memoirs. Keep in mind that it is a journalistic piece rather than a narrative work. The author's ability to inspire confidence in her interview subjects impressed me. I give the book five out of five stars.
About the Author
Sue Tabashnik published her last book PATRICK SWAYZE The Dreamer in
September 2017. This book presents how Swayze's focus on dreams for himself
and others sustained him and guided him to live a zest-filled and hopeful
life even while dealing with great adversity. Her earlier two unique Dirty
Dancing tribute books are The Fans' Love Story: How the Movie DIRTY DANCING
Captured the Hearts of Millions! (July 2010) and The Fans' Love Story
ENCORE: How the Movie DIRTY DANCING Captured the Hearts of Millions!
(December 2013).
She became a fan of Patrick Swayze in 1988. She was an active member of the
Official Patrick Swayze International Fan Club from 2000-2010, which
included writing numerous articles for the club magazine. She had the good
fortune to meet Patrick Swayze several times at movie screenings and benefit
events from 2002-2004, which led her to become an even bigger fan. She also
had the great pleasure of meeting Patsy Swayze at a film event in
2003.
Sue worked as a master's level psychiatric social worker from 1977-2022.
Sue has lived most of her life in the Detroit area.
Author website:
https://www.likedirtydancing.com.
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